As writers, we know it is best to write with our brain unshackled and our hearts open.
The words should flow unrestrained by rules or fear of redundancy. We shouldn’t let self-judgment or worries about what others might think as the words fall on the paper like petals.
We also know to then let it sit before touching it again. Like fine wine, it needs time to breathe. We need to put space between what was written by our heart and quell the desire to immediately refine it. With literary distance, we can unemotionally (hopefully) read and edit what we wrote with clarity and a discerning eye.
If you are like me, when I write a sentence, paragraph, or chapter, the words continue to swirl in my head even, while away from the computer. I am rewriting while doing the dishes, I come up with new ideas as I pull weeds, and I doubt that every-word-I-ever-wrote-since-the-beginning-of-time was worth the paper it was printed on.
I spent the past weekend doing deep mechanical edits on my manuscript. Although I know I should let it ferment for a time before I revisit it, I am itching to pick at it.
In this video, I am the puppy, my manuscript is the kibble on her leg, and my master, Mr. Manuscript is saying, “Leave it. Leave it. Leave it . . .”
Besides, how cute is this sweet puppy!?! I couldn’t resist.
Robin Coyle 
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I like to let it breathe. You aren’t objective until you’ve given some distance to your writing. I THINK about the story, the plot and characters all the time though. That’s what my notebooks are for, make comments and ideas for the next draft.
For me, it is a journal and post-it notes, matchbook covers, and grocery receipts!
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Sweeet!
Be strong; it’ll be worth it 🙂
So true! I’m always surprised when I come back to something and think, ew, did I really write that?
I bet you often say, “Damn, that is good!”
Ha, rarely…
Does this mean I don’t have to do dishes or pull weeds any more? I want to be sure to let you have time to construct your next masterpieces in your head while you do chores!!
Ha ha. Not so fast buddy. You aren’t getting off the hook in support of my creative efforts.
I try to write and save it for a later date when I feel like being critical. Haul out the old stuff and edit it, then save it for posting sometime.
How far ahead to you write posts?
Wise advice. I suck at letting it breathe. Takes me too long to write!
And when you do go back to edit, can you look at it with a fresh eye?
I’m going to work my way to the end, which seems to get further from me, and then let it take a good breath. It may lapse into a coma but I know CPR. I can start on something new while it rests.
Someone keeps moving my finish line too.
Good advice, I wish I had found you sooner…
Self doubt never allows me to stop picking!
(cute dog btw)
Self doubt is a nasty thing but I don’t we will ever be rid of her!
Awww, love the puppy analogy! 🙂 It killed me to shelf my novel, but it turned out to be the best thing I could do. I let it sit for almost three months before I yanked it out and started revisions. Then I let it sit for three more before revising again. 😉
It takes time to heal after pouring your heart out on the page. Once healed, I find I can look at the words and emotions evoked with a fresh eye and a renewed spirit. Sounds like it is the same way for you.
Just what I needed to read this am!
In the throes of editing? Or resting from writing?
I get caught up in what I think I should write rather than what I want to write. Your post inspired me to just sit back and write – from my centre.
Oh, now lovely.
I hate to think anyone might ever find any unfinished anything or on-going manuscript and say, “UGH. She really tried, I guess.” I NEED many re-writes. I’m like a vintage bottle of wine; I need time to be fine.
Yes, VINTAGE!
I like to think I am vintage too, not old and decrepit. Ha ha!
You’re always such a delight and encouragement.
What a sweet thing for you to say.
Who can resist a labrador? Not me. Neither can I resist editing. It’s like a drug and I find myself going back and forth rather than moving forward. I must leave it, I know I must, but it’s so hard.
Show me a puppy, and I melt. For that matter, show me a dog, and I melt.
We are all meth addicts but instead of meth, it is the delete key, “Seek and Destroy” function, and copy and paste. Ah me. Someone arrest my dealer, please.
Always such good advice, cute puppies or not:)
I know. I don’t like blogs that only feature cute puppy and kitten photos (gag), but I couldn’t resist this sweet face. Next, I’ll send you a chain email with inspirational messages.
Ha ha:)
I used to write a passage, then edit; write a passage, then edit; then go back and re-edit my edits. It was madness. Now I just write freely, knowing I can edit it down the road. Much more liberating. Of course, if I meet my demise early and someone finds my work post-humously, it will be one untidy mess rather than a clean, albeit it short, edited piece. So I guess there’s that drawback. Oh, the places my mind goes…
Ha! I thought about that too. I am run over by a bus and someone hacks into my computer to take a look at my writing. They roll their eyes while my husband gives the eulogy . . . “Robin was a writer. She followed her passion and honed her craft with great care.”
Blah.
Ha ha! 🙂
I think many new writers get caught up in editing too soon. They start their books and try to get everything perfect the first time around. It’s not possible. The first draft is sh*tty as Anne LaMott said.
And it’s easy for those new writers to get discouraged if they begin thinking their “brillant” first efforts look like muck when they read them the next day.
Yes, let that manuscript breathe—after every round of major writing and rewriting! The writer needs the break, too, to gather a second wind. 🙂
Anne LaMott’s book was great. I hear her voice in my head. Isn’t it funny how when it words are spewing out of your finger tips it is brilliant, and then the next morning you think, “Who stole my computer during the night and wrote this garbage!?”
But what keeps us coming back is when we read it and say, “Whoa. That is pretty good.”
Blogging was a rather “forced” breathing space between my novel and editing. It was lovely to be back. I didn’t know how much I missed it.
spoken like a true writer – and you are right, the pup is cute as a button
His name is Peanut. How adorable is that?
Excellent advice. In the beginning, I was always going back and revising immediately. It took a long time to learn to let my manuscript breathe. It’s a very valuable lesson and one worth passing on.
Love the puppy. I could look at him all day. So sweet. Except to me, he’s the manuscript and I’d want to play with him constantly. Can’t do. Puppies need sleep, too. 🙂
I am so sad because the puppy was in a sweet YouTube video that must be blocked now. No idea why because it wasn’t offensive, just adorable! I settled on just posting his cuddly face. I want to eat him up! I will keep checking because the video makes me happy!
Good point about the puppy being the manuscript.